Rosengarten trek – Dolomites – 4 days
Level: Mostly T3
Period: End June – mid September
The Rosengarten Trek is a truly spectacular and pretty challenging multi-day hike in The Rosengarten (Catinaccio) massif in the Italian Dolomites. Rosengarten means ‘Rose Garden’ in German. It is located in Northern Italy between Val di Fassa (in Trentino) and Eggenstal (in South Tyrol).
The itinerary below follows the route we hiked, but with many huts along the way, you can customize your own overnight stays. Each day includes at least one mountain pass, often steep with secured cable sections, making this trek unsuitable for beginners or those with a fear of heights.
Day 1: Start the hike by taking the gondola from Carezza/Karersee to the Paolinahütte (we stayed here the night before we staeted the hike). From there, hike to Kölnerhütte/Rifugio Fronza alle Coronelle on an easy path (level T2 – route 552 and 549). Steeply climb to the ‘Passo delle Coronelle’ (route 550, level T3, with parts T4) and steeply descend to Rifugio Vajolet – 8 km, 4:30, ↑ 700 m, ↓ 600 m. See photos of Passo delle Coronelle below.
Note: the Passo delle Coronelle is magnificent, but pretty steep, especially the first section just behind the Kölnerhütte. It is level T3, with a small section T4. This section is secured with several cables. Our kids loved it, but don’t try this one if you are afraid of heights.
Day 2: From Rifugio Vajolet you ascend via route 584 to the Grasleitenpasshütte/Rifugio Bergamo (level T1/T2). The Grasleitenpasshütte is a perfect spot for lunch or cake. The next stretch is a steep but very doable climb to Passo di Antermoia (T3), rewarding you with phenomenal panoramic views. The descent is initially steep but soon flattens out into the valley leading to Rifugio Antermoia. This beautiful hut is set beside the glacial Lago di Antermoia, surrounded by towering peaks – 5.5 km, 4:00, ↑ 550 m, ↓ 300 m.
Day 3: Rifugio Antermoia to the Santnerpasshütte, via Rifugio Vajolet and Rifugio Re Alberto/Gartlhütte – 7 km, 5:00, ↑ 800 m, ↓ 600 m.
The first part of this day retraces yesterday’s path back to Rifugio Vajolet, before heading into one of the trek’s most demanding sections. The ascent to Rifugio Re Alberto (Gartlhütte) is extremely steep (T4, maybe even T5), with long cable-secured sections (see pfotos below). This climb can be challenging, especially when crowded or when it rains. It can get very slippery. We found the route challenging, but doable. We had nice weather though, with no rain. What we found a bit challenging was that there were a lot of people on the route, and you have to let each other pass (and let go of the cable). Some hikers have very little patience and will literally push you aside, not ideal with children.
After reaching Rifugio Re Alberto, the trail eases up towards the Santnerpasshütte (level T2), an extraordinary hut perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff. The views from here are some of the most spectacular in the Dolomites. The Santnerpass hut is one of the most unusual and magnificent huts we have ever seen. It is a kind of futuristic metal triangle placed dramatically right on the edge of a 1,000-metre-high cliff. It’s a unique place.
Day 4: Santnerpasshütte to Rifugio Vajolet and on to Rifugio Ciampedie – 7 km, 3:00, ↑ 100 m, ↓ 800 m.
A steep descent takes you back to Rifugio Vajolet, followed by an easier trail leading to Rifugio Ciampedie. From here, a gondola brings you down to Vigo di Fassa, where you can catch a bus (line 180) back to Carezza/Karersee, completing the trek.
Good to know: The Paolinahütte has drinking water, in the other huts you will have to buy drinking water (about €3 per litre). You can charge your equipment in all huts.
Day 1 – Paolinahütte – Passo delle Coronelle – Rifugio Vajolet
Day 2 – Rifugio Vajolet to Rifugio Antermoia
Day 3/4 – To the Santnerpasshütte, with very steep part before Rifugio Re Alberto
